Sakir Khader from the Netherlands detained on Monday while reporting on Syrian refugees crossing the border via Turkey.

A Dutch journalist has been arrested in Greece while reporting on refugees who crossed into the country via Turkey.

Sakir Khader, a reporter with current affairs show Brandpunt in the Netherlands, was detained on Monday morning in the border area between Greece and Turkey.

Khader had joined a group of about 50 Syrians, including women and children, as they crossed a small river that demarcates the border between the two countries.

Along with the refugees, he was detained by Greek police, reportedly on charges that he had trespassed into a military zone.

Speaking from the Netherlands, Robbert ter Weijden, deputy editor of Brandpunt, said that the area is not marked as off-limits.

"We filmed there not so long ago and there is nothing there that shows you're entering a military zone," Ter Weijden said.

"In addition to his Dutch passport, Sakir also carried two Dutch press cards," he said, adding that Greek police at first did not believe he was a Dutch citizen.

Khader's sister, Diana, said that the officers detained him because of his Arab appearance.

"He was seen as one of the Syrian refugees because of his Arab looks. He has a beard and has brown skin. Sakir also has a Palestinian passport but he did not carry it with him when he was detained,” she said.

"It's ironic that this is happening in an (European Union) EU country, while the EU continues to criticise (President Recep Tayyip) Erdogan when it comes to press freedom in Turkey," she added.

Khader has appeared before a judge on Tuesday and was told to await possible charges while remaining in police custody.